ISSN: 0973-7510

E-ISSN: 2581-690X

Research Article | Open Access
Molecular Diagnosis of Diarrheagenic E. coli Infections Among the Pediatric Patients in Wasit Province, Iraq
Zainab Kadhim Abdul-hussein, Rana Hussein Raheema and Ahmed Ibrahim Inssaf
Department of Medical Microbiology Faculty of Medicine, University of Wasit, Iraq.
J. Pure Appl. Microbiol., 2018, 12 (4): 2229-2240 | Article Number: 5315
https://doi.org/10.22207/JPAM.12.4.62 | © The Author(s). 2018
Received: 13/10/2018| Accepted: 29/11/2018 |Published: 27/12/2018
Abstract

Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli still an important pathogen that cause diarrhea which lead to hospital admissions and death specially in children. In order to identify the common pathotypes of E. coli via investigate different virulence genes.  A total of 210 stool samples were collected from children under five years presented with diarrhea from different hospitals and private clinics in Wasit province, Iraq, on the other hand, 40 stool samples were collected from healthy children considered as control group. regarding to culture, biochemical tests and API 20E  results 100 isolates were supposed to be E. coli. The DNA were extracted to that 100 isolates  from diarrheal cases and for 40 isolates of control, concentration of DNA samples were between (50-360 mg/µl ) and the purity between (1.8-2). All isolates studied for detectionvirulence gene of five Diarrheagenic Escherichia Coli strains based on using multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction technique, by amplified 13 primer (eaeA, bfpB, aggR, astA, pic, hly, stx1, stx2, invE, ipaH, elt, estIa, estIb), and showed  the distribution of the strains and its susceptibility to antibiotics. The most frequent pathotypes was Enteropathogenic E.coli 19/42 (45.3%) ) with 9 typical and 10 atypical, followed by Enteroaggregative E. coli 17/42 (40.5%), Enterotoxigenic E. coli 3/42 (7.1%),   Enteroinvasive E. coli 3/42 (7.1% ), and 0/42 (0%) in Shigatoxin producing E .coli and no DEC in all control patients. The highest resistance to antibiotics was (95.2%) to Amoxicillin and Ampicillin, respectively, Sulfa-Trimethoprim 92.9%, followed by 85.7% for Tetracycline and Cephalothin, Ceftriaxone  81% and Cefotaxim “clavulanic acid 71.4%. While the lowest resistance was to Chloramphenicol (19 %), Ciprofloxacin (16.7%), Amikacin (7.1%) and no resistance was detected toward Imipenem. We can conclude in this study, multiplex PCR is a swift, and accurate procedure can be used for Diarrheagenic E.coli identification and isolation successfully of  strains.

Keywords

Diarrheagenic E.coli, virulence genes, Multiplex PCR

Introduction

Diarrheal disease is still a global problem around the world specially in children under five years in developing countries1. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), diarrheal diseases are the second leading cause of death (~760,000 per year) in children 2,3. The microbial causes of diarrhea are variety of  bacterial, viral and parasite 4,  Among these pathogens, diarrheagenic E. coli  play a major role in causing diarrhea in children under 5 years 5,6,7.

When the microbial agent is bacteria, E. coli consider one of the major causes, specially to infantile diarrhea 8,9,10. Depending on specific virulence gene, clinical features, and serotypes diarrheagenic E.coli divided into 6 stains: Enteropathogenic E. coli, Enteroaggregative E. coli, Enteroinvasive E. coli, Enterotoxigenic E. coli, Shiga toxin-producing E. coli and Diffusely Adherence  E. coli 11. Culture and biochemical test can’t distinguished between commensal or pathogenic strains of E. coli in stool, therefor PCR used to detect the virulence genes in pathogenic strains 12, multiplex PCR provide detection to many Diarrheagenic E.coli strains virulence genes with high sensitivity, specificity 13.

The aim of this study was detecting the distribution of diarrheagenic E. coli pathotypes among children with diarrhea in Wasit province, Iraq by multiplex PCR, and assessing the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of diarrheagenic E. coli, in order to contribute to the establishment of a more effective empirical antibiotic therapy for the disease.

Materials and Methods

Collection of samples
During period from middle of September 2017 to middle of December 2017 a total of 210 stool samples were collected from children (males and females) with an ages under five years presented with diarrhea had been admitted at  hospitals and attended at private clinics in Wasit province, Iraq. Otherwise, 40  stool samples were collected from healthy children considered as control. The stool samples transported on Carry Blair swabs and cultured on MacConkey agar, XLD, EMB, Blood agar, and CHROMagarSTEC and incubated aerobically at 37 °C for 24 hours, the isolated bacteria was identified according to morphological, biochemical tests and API 20E kit.

Antibiotic susceptibility test: performed by Kirby-Bauer procedure on Muller Hinton agar 14 and results interpreted according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute15

DNA extraction: was performed according to the procedure (Geneaid Genomic DNA extraction Kit).

Multiplex PCR technique: was used for amplifying the genes. The mixture reaction was performed in a total volume 50 µl of PCR Mastermix Gold Multiplex 50x   (DNA Template  4 µl, Forward primer 1 µl for each primer, Reverse primer 1 µl for each primer, free water ddH2O 20µl). PCR cycling program parameters used in this reaction for detection of  (bfpB , eaeA ,pic , aggR , astA ,invE , ipaH , hly, stx1,stx2,  elt ,estla ,estlb ) genes as shown in table (1), the thermal cycling program(Initial denaturation 95°C for 5 min. 1cycle), ( Denaturation 94°C for 30 sec  35 cycle ), (Annealing   58°C for 30 sec. 35 cycle ), ( Extension 72°C for 1 min. 35cycle), (Final extension 72° C for 7min. 1 cycle) (Holding  4° C 1 cycle). The amplification products were electrophoresed through a 2 % agarose gel and visualized with UV transilluminator after ethidium bromide staining. A 100 bp DNA ladder was used as a molecular size marker in gel. The statistical analysis of all the evidence was done using the system SPSS IBM version 20 software, Chi-squire test. P- value £ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Table (1):
Primers used for multiplex PCR reaction.

References Product  size (bp) Primers ( Sequence (5′ – 3′)) Primers E.coli strain
16 400 aggR-F: ACGCAGAGTTGCCTGATAAAG
aggR-R: AATACAGAATCGTCAGCATCAGC		 aggR EAEC
102 astA-F: TGCCATCAACACAGTATATCCG
astA-R: ACGGCTTTGTAGTCCTTCCAT		 astA
1,111 pic-F: AGCCGTTTCCGCAGAAGCC
pic-R: AAATGTCAGTGAACCGACGATTGG		 pic
17 688 hly-F: TTCTGGGAAACAGTGACGCACATA
hly-R: TCACCGATCTTCTCATCCCAATG 0.1		 hly STEC
16 244 stx1A-F: CGATGTTACGGTTTGTTACTGTGACAGC
stx1A-R: AATGCCACGCTTCCCAGAATTG		 stx1
324 stx2AF: GTTTTGACCATCTTCGTCTGATTATTGAG
stx2A-R: AGCGTAAGGCTTCTGCTGTGAC		 stx2
766 invE-F: CGATAGATGGCGAGAAATTATATCCCG
invE-R:CGATCAAGAATCCCTAACAGAAGAATCAC		 invE  

 

EIEC
18 437 ipaH-F: GAAAACCCTCCTGGTCCATCAGG
ipaH-R: GCCGGTCAGCCACCCTCTGAGAGTAC		 ipaH
 

16

 482 eae-F: TCAATGCAGTTCCGTTATCAGTT
eae-R: GTAAAGTCCGTTACCCCAACCTG		 eaeA  

 

EPEC
910 bfpB-F: GACACCTCATTGCTGAAGTCG
bfpB-R: CCAGAACACCTCCGTTATGC		 bfpB
655 elt -F: GAACAGGAGGTTTCTGCGTTAGGTG
elt -R: CTTTCAATGGCTTTTTTTTGGGAGTC		 elt ETEC
157 estIa-F:CCTCTTTTAGYCAGACARCTGAATCASTTG
estIa -R: CAGGCAGGATTACAACAAAGTTCACAG		 estIa
171 estIb-F: TGTCTTTTTCACCTTTCGCTC
estIb-R: CGGTACAAGCAGGATTACAACAC		 estIb
RESULTS

E. coli were isolated in 100 (47.6 %) of 210 collected samples followed by 78 (37.2%) of other gram negative bacteria  (Salmonella, Klebsiella, Proteus, Pseudomonas) and 32  (15.2 %) samples that were no growth. The results of primary diagnosis to these 100 E. coli isolates by selective and differential culture media were consistent with the microscopic and biochemical tests results.

Multiplex applied on theses 100 and 40 control samples and the results  showed that DEC in were detected in 42/ 100 (42 %) among diarrheal children compared with 0/100 (0%) among control children. The distribution of 42 DEC pathotype isolates were: EPEC was found in  19  (45.3%), EAEC in  17(40.5% ), ETEC in 3 (7.1%),   EIEC in  3 (7.1%) and 0 (0% ) in STEC and controls.

From 19 isolates detected as EPEC which was watery diarrhea 10 (52.6%) isolates of them are atypical EPEC showed eaeA gene found without  bfpB gene, and 9 (47.4 %) were  typical EPEC which showed eaeA gene together with bfpB gene. All 19 isolates in our study don’t produce nether stx1 or stx2, in addition one of aEPEC showed astA gene.

Enteroaggregative E. coli 17 (40.5%) isolates came second after Enteropathogenic E.coli as causative agent of diarrhea among Diarrheagenic E. coli pathotypes in our study, aggR gene was appeared in all  EAEC isolates detected in our study that mean all of them were typical EAEC. Enterotoxigenic E.coli account 3 isolates (7.1%) and Enteroinvasive E. coli was detected in 3 isolates (7.1%) that suggested these pathotype maybe play a lessimportant role in childhood diarrhoea in developingcountries. When age stratification was analysed high incidence of DEC E. coli recorded in first and second age group flowed by third and fourth age group, and there were no cases recorded in fifth age group.

The prevalence of Enteropathogenic E. coli infection infections was high in first and second years , also  all   Enteroaggregative E.coli infections were detected under 2 years, while  Enteroinvasive E. coli  were high between 2-3 years also cause infection in first age group, in time  all Enterotoxigenic E.coli infections were all above 1 year as shown in figure (1).

Fig.1. Prevalence diarrheagenic E. coli with age groups.

E. coli pathotypes, in our study were identified and isolated successfully by using Multiplex PCR. PCR products visualized to measured product size results from amplification the primers in compared with (100 bp) ladder as shown in figures (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9).

Fig. 2. Gel electrophoresis of amplified   ( eaeA , bfpB, aggR ,astA ,pic ,hly ,stx1 ,stx2 invE  , ipaH, elt ,estIa ,estIb ) genes,  the product size (482 , 910 , 400 , 102 , 1,111 , 688 , 244 , 324 , 766 , 437 , 655 , 157 , 171 ( bp ) respectively), of E .coli  strains using conventional PCR . Agarose 2%, and TBE (1X ) at (75 V/cm for 90 min., stained with Ethydium bromide  dye and visualized on a UV transilluminator. Lane(L): DNA ladder (100-3000 bp), Lanes: (1-12) stool samples.

Fig. 3. Gel electrophoresis of amplified (eaeA, bfpB, aggR, astA, pic, hly, stx1, stx2, invE, ipaH, elt ,estIa, estIb) genes, the product size (482, 910, 400, 102, 1, 111, 688, 244, 324, 766, 437, 655, 157, 171 (bp) respectively), of E .coli  strains using conventional PCR. Agarose 2%, and TBE(1X) at (75 V/cm for 90 min., stained with Ethydium bromide dye and visualized on a UV transilluminator. Lane(L): DNA ladder (100-3000bp)  Lanes: (1-12 ) stool samples.

Fig. 4. Gel electrophoresis of amplified (eaeA , bfpB, aggR, astA, pic, hly, stx1, stx2, invE, ipaH, elt ,estIa, estIb) genes,  the product size (482, 910, 400, 102, 1, 111, 688, 244, 324, 766, 437, 655, 157, 171(bp) respectively), of E .coli  strains using conventional PCR. Agarose 2%, and TBE (1X) at (75 V/cm for 90 min., stained with Ethidium bromide  dye and visualized on a UV transilluminator. Lane (L): DNA ladder (100-3000bp), Lanes: (1-12) stool samples.

Fig. 5. Gel electrophoresis of amplified (eaeA, bfpB, aggR, astA, pic, hly, stx1, stx2, invE, ipaH, elt, estIa, estIb) genes, the product size (482, 910, 400, 102, 1, 111, 688, 244, 324, 766, 437, 655, 157, 171 (bp) respectively), of E .coli strains using conventional PCR . Agarose 2%, and TBE(1X ) at (75 V/cm for 90 min., stained with Ethidium bromide dye and visualized on a UV transilluminator. Lane (L): DNA ladder (100-3000bp), Lanes: (1-12) stool sample.

Fig. 6. Gel electrophoresis of amplified (eaeA, bfpB, aggR, astA, pic, hly, stx1, stx2, invE, ipaH, elt, estIa, estIb) genes, the product size (482, 910, 400, 102, 1, 111, 688, 244, 324, 766, 437, 655, 157, 171 (bp) respectively), of E .coli strains using conventional PCR. Agarose 2%, and TBE (1X) at (75 V/cm for 90 min., stained with Ethidium bromide dye and visualized on a UV transilluminator. Lane (L): DNA ladder (100-3000 bp), Lanes: (1-12)  stool samples.

Fig. 7. Gel electrophoresis of amplified (eaeA, bfpB, aggR, astA, pic, hly, stx1, stx2, invE, ipaH, elt, estIa ,estIb) genes, the product size (482, 910, 400, 102, 1, 111, 688, 244, 324, 766, 437, 655, 157, 171 (bp) respectively), of E. coli  strains using conventional PCR . Agarose 2%, and TBE (1X ) at (75 V/cm for 90 min., stained with Ethidium bromide dye and visualized on a UV transilluminator. Lane (L): DNA ladder (100-3000bp), Lanes: (1-12) stool samples.

Fig. 8.  Gel electrophoresis of amplified (eaeA, bfpB, aggR, astA, pic, hly, stx1, stx2, invE, ipaH, elt, estIa ,estIb) genes, the product size (482, 910, 400, 102, 1, 111, 688, 244, 324, 766, 437, 655, 157, 171 (bp) respectively), of E. coli  strains using conventional PCR. Agarose 2%, and TBE (1X ) at (75 V/cm for 90 min., stained with Ethidium bromide dye and visualized on a UV transilluminator. Lane (L): DNA ladder (100-3000bp), Lanes: (1-12 ) stool samples.

Fig. 9.  Gel electrophoresis of amplified (eaeA, bfpB, aggR, astA, pic, hly, stx1, stx2, invE, ipaH, elt, estIa, estIb) genes, the product size (482, 910, 400, 102, 1, 111, 688, 244, 324, 766, 437, 655, 157, 171 ( bp ) respectively ), of E. coli  strains using conventional PCR. Agarose 2%, and TBE (1X) at (75 V/cm for 90 min., stained with Ethidium bromide dye and visualized on a UV transilluminator. Lane (L): DNA ladder(100-3000 bp), Lanes: (1-12)  stool samples.

Antibiotic susceptibility test results were showed in table (2): The highest level of resistance were to Amoxiclav (95.2%), Ampicillin (95.2%), Sulfa -Trimethoprim (92.9%) followed by Tetracycline (85.7%), Cephalthin (85.7%) Ceftriaxone (81%)   Cefotaxime/clavulanicacid 71.4%. The maximum E. coli sensitivity was to Imipenem  (100%) flowed by Amikacin (85.7%), Ciprofloxacin (78.6%) Chloramphenicol (73.8%).

Table (2):
Antibiotic susceptibility test.

Antibiotics
CEC
AMC
CTR
TE
SXT
AMP
CTL
C
CIP
IPM
AK
Sensitive
8
19%
1
2.4%
7
16.7%
4
9.5%
2
4.8%
2
4.8%
3
7.1%
31 73.8%
33 78.6%
42 100%
36 85.7%
Intermediate
4
9.5%
1
2.4%
1
2.4%
2
4.8%
1
2.4%
0
0%
3
7.1%
3
7.1%
2
4.8%
0
0%
3
7.1 %
Resistance
30
71.4%
40
95.2%
34
81%
36
85.7%
39 92.9%
40 95.2%
36 85.7%
8
19%
7
16.7%
0
0%
3
7.1%
Chi squire
28
72.4
44.14
52
67
34.38
51.8
31.8
39.57
34.38
51.8

AK=Amikacin, AMC = Amoxiclav, AMP = Ampicillin, CTR = Ceftriaxone, CTL = Cephalothin,
C = Chloramphenicol, CIP = Ciprofloxacin, CEC = Cefotaxime/Clavulanic, IPM = Imipenem,
TE = Tetracycline, STX = Sulfa-Trimethoprim

DISCUSSION

The distribution of DEC in our study was 42 (20%) among 210 diarrheal cases. Our result concur  to other  study in Iraq reported by  Hamada et al 12 in Kirkuk (36%) and globally with  other studies in Iran Heidary et al 19 (28 %), while our result contrast with other studies were showed less prevalence to Diarrheageic E. coli Konateet al 20 revealed (7.4%) in Burkina Faso, Salmaniet al 21 in Iran who showed (88%). These differences  reflecting the difference in distribution of geographical areas , quality of sanitation .

Among all the  Diarrheagenic E.coli pathotypes , Enteropathogenic E.coli (EPEC) were found to be the most common pathotypes for children with (45.3%), our result compatible with localstudy by  Sakhi 22 who showed EPEC as most than other pathotypes (63%), and in contrast with  Khalil 11  and Al-Dulaimi23 where they  show it came second after EAEC . Our finding was , however , similar to globally studies with Zhou et al1, Thakur et al7 and Chellapandietal6  that also reported a high frequency of EPEC pathotypes associated with pediatric diarrhea.

EPEC are sub-grouped into typical (tEPEC, eae+ bfpA+) and atypical (aEPEC, eae+ bfpA– ) strains that differ in several respects Naji and Nasser 24 . From 19 isolates detected as EPEC which was watery diarrhea 10 ( 52.6%) isolates of them are atypical EPEC showed eaeA gene found without  bfpB gene, and 9 (47.4 %) were  typical EPEC which showed eaeA gene together with bfpB gene.

All 19 isolates in our study don’t produce nether stx1 or stx2, in addition one of aEPEC showed astA gene. Our study is close to study by Arif and Salih23 in Sulaimani, Iraq, and global reports by Malvi 25 in India,  that showed the distribution of atypical EPEC was higher than  typical EPEC. Ochoa and Contreras 26 report that atypical EPEC (aEPEC) are more prevalent than typical-EPEC (tEPEC).

Enteroaggregative E.coli 17 (40.5%) isolates came second after Enteropathogenic E. coli as causative agent  of diarrhea among Diarrheagenic E. coli pathotypes in our study, that agree with reports by Sakhi 22 in Dhi-Qar city, also Globally with Thakur et al 7 . But  EAEC considered the major cause of diarrhea between diarrheagenic E. coli pathotypes in local studies by Khalil 11 and  Al-Dulami 23 , also Globally, Rajendranet et  al 27 in India,  Ali et al  28 in Egypt, and Konateet et al 20 in Burkina Faso.

EPEC and EAEC were reported as the most common Diarrheagenic E. coli pathotypes Bueriset et al 29;  Moyoet et al 30; Wang et al 31.

Enterotoxigenic E. coli account 3 isolates (7.1%) of Diarrheagenic cases, the detection of ETEC is in consonance with previous local  findings by Hamada  et al 12, and concur with global study by Raghavanet et al 32 in India. Our study differ from other reports by  Chiyangiet et al 33 in Zambia which suggested high prevalence of  ETEC 40%.

Enteroinvasive E. coli was detected in 3 isolates (7.1%) of Diarrheagenic isolates. Our study is nearly close with local study by Hamada  et al 12 (10%), and globally with  (0.5%) by  Moshtagian 34, and (12.9%) by Konateet et al 20, and (3.7%) by  Zhouet et al 1.

Vieira et al 35 also showed low rate of prevalence Enteroinvasive E. coli and suggested that this pathotype may be play a less important role in childhood diarrhea in developing countries. In this study, no Shiga toxin-producing E. coli were detected this result is similar to local reports of  Sakhi 22 and Hamada et al 12. Globally, Ali et al 28 and Canzalez-Roman 36, also showed no isolates of STEC were detected in children with diarrhea.  STEC appears to be more frequent in adults than children Okekeet et al 37. These difference between our results and other studies may be attributed to rout of infection, virulence factors, pathogen strains, difference in population selection, time of collection and size of samples.

Antibiotic susceptibility test
Resistance to Amoxiclave (95.2% ) agreement with another study had been reported high resistance in studies done by Al-Hilali 38 83.4 % in  Al-Najaf. Our result; disagreed with previous study in Alkut by Shamkhi39 who recorded low resistance to Amoxiclav with 7.1% AL-Shuwaikh et al 39 in Baghdad report 33.3%. Increased Amoxiclav resistance coincided with growing Amoxiclav consumption at the community level, similarly, the isolated Diarrheagenic E. coli pathotypes showed high resistance rates to Ampicillin and Sulfa-Trimethoprim Konateet et al 41, as mention in study by Goossenset et al 42; Llor and Bjerrum 43 about antibiotic resistant, there is high resistant in the most consumption antibiotic. Sulfa-Trimethoprim is widely used in developing countries to treat diarrhea because of their availability over the countries Nguyen et al 44. Attention should be given while prescribing Amoxiclav, Ceftriaxone, and Ampicillin to avoid  increasing resistance  pathotype  by E. coli.  Similar study conducted by Konate et al 41 in Burkina Faso revealed  that 85 % of E. coli isolates were resistance to Tetracycline.

Our study for Cefotaxime was agreement with previous local studies by,  AL Hilali 38 68%, Sakhi 22 85.7%,   Ugwa et al 45, also reported resistance to Ceftriaxone (91%) by E. coli isolates. Rajeshwari et al 46 reported similar finding for the high resistance of Ceftriaxone 75% and cefotaxime (77.5%) in Indian children with diarrhea, while disagreement Khalil 11 4% and Hamada et al 12 10%. Antibiotic susceptibility testing of isolates showed high resistance rate to Cephalothin (85.7%). The emergence of multidrug resistance especially in E. coli has become a critical public concern, which was designated as resistance to one agent in three or more antibiotic classes. Kamwati 47; Alizadi 48.  Many factors responsible for an increase in rates of antimicrobial resistance include misuse/over use of antibiotic by healthcare professionals and general public Magiorakos et al 49;  WHO 50; Konateet al 41, and inadequate surveillance systems and independence on reliable microbiological techniques which leads to inappropriate prescription of antibiotics Wellington et al 51.

Ciprofloxacin showed low resistant  similar with local studies by  Hamada  et al 12 10 %, Khalil 11 8%. Globally Kamwati 47 4%, Canizalez-Roman et al 36 21 %. Ciprofloxacin was one of the most active antimicrobial agent which currently recommended to treated diarrhea in children Ayat ollahi et al 52.

Amikacin showed low resistant agreement with 3.3 %   reported by  Hamada  et al12and Al-Hilali 38 0%  , and globally with Zhou et al 1 7.4%.

Imipenem with no resistant  agreement with 0% resistant from Al-Hilali 38  and Shamkhi 39. The Impenim was the most effective antibiotic against DEC followed by Amikacin, Ciprofloxacin and Chloramphenicol. Impinem has been highly effective against gram negative bacteria Mohammed et al 53, Alam et al 54. They should be used in life threatening multidrug resistance infections where there is no other alternative.

The statistical  analysis to  susceptibility test  results  in this study showed high resistance among Diarrheagenic E. coli isolates which were collected from hospitalized children than isolates collected from private pediatric clinics (without history of hospital admitted) as shown in table (3).

Table (3):
Antibiotic sensitivity in hospital and clinical isolates.

No. of resistance isolates from Clinic
No. of resistance isolates from Hospital
Antibiotic
0    0%
2    4.2%
AK
0    0%
0    0%
IPM
0    0%
7    16.7%
CIP
2    4.8%
6    13.4%
C
5    11.9%
31   73.8%
CTL
0    0%
40   95.2%
AMP
6    14.3%
33   78.6%
SXT
6    14.3%
30   71.4%
TE
2    4.8%
32   76.2%
CTR
6    14.3%
34   81%
AMC
0    0%
30   71.4%
CEC

This result goes with report  of Kamwati47 who showed isolates from children who had been hospitalized were  more resistance than those isolated from children not previously hospitalized , and he conclude that  recent history of antimicrobial use and hospitalization is a serious predisposing factor to carriage of Multi Drug Resistant strains. Fox-Lewis 55  also mention that  hospital-acquired Escherichia coli isolates were multidrug resistant than  isolates were community-acquired. Multi drug resistance MDR  may be acquired from other patients who have received antibiotics. Infections caused by Multi drug resistance gram negative bacteria are difficult to treat and so may cause more prolonged symptoms in the site of infection Hawkey et al 56.

CONCLUSION

Enteropathogenic E. coli and Enteroaggregative E. coli was the most common types of Diarrheagenic E. coli among children less than 2 years of age presented with diarrhea in Wasit province. Enterotoxigenic E. coli and Enteroinvasive E. coli were more  common in children more than 2 years of age in Wasit province.

This study highlights the Using of multiplex PCR in identifying and successful isolation of Diarrheagenic E.coli from normal flora and can be used as a rapid and accurate method for the isolation of pathogenic strains of E. coli, this will greatly help pediatricians to decrease the use of antibiotic in treatment of diarrhea in children and decreasing the problem of increasing antibiotic resistance. The results of antibiotic sensitivity test revealed that the most active compound against Diarrheagenic E. coli isolates was Imipenem followed by Amikacin, Ciprofloxacin and Chloramphenicol.

Declarations

Conflict Of Interest
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

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